Breaking news – new homelessness agreement signed

A new homelessness partnership agreement has been signed between the Commonwealth and State.  We don’t know enough details yet in regard to tenancy advice funding but will keep you posted.  Here is an exerpt from Minister Butler’s press release and then a communique from today’s meeting.

“The Australian Government today announced a $320 million agreement with the states and territories which ensures the continued provision of vital homelessness services.

The Federal Government made $159 million available in early March, conditional on the
states and territories agreeing to match the Commonwealth’s contribution. At today’s COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness, all state and territory housing ministers confirmed their commitment to these vital homelessness services.

Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness Mark Butler said the agreement ensures that services currently provided under the current National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness continue.

COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness
28 March 2013 meeting Communiqué

The COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness met on 28 March 2013, in Melbourne.

 National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a future long term National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) subject to individual jurisdictional approval. Ministers recognise the importance of putting in place appropriate transitional arrangements to afford time to finalise a longer term agreement which Ministers recognise as critical to tackling homelessness. The transitional arrangement will provide some certainty to individuals and their service providers. The transitional arrangements would see the Commonwealth, States and Territories contribute almost $320m to tackle homelessness in 2013-14. This includes a combined development fund of $76m that will provide new accommodation arrangements.

National Rental Affordability Scheme

The Australian Government reaffirmed its long term commitment to invest in affordable rental housing for low to moderate income earners through the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS). Ministers noted that the Australian Government would open a dedicated NRAS round to support ‘shovel ready’ affordable housing projects on 18 April and close on 22 May 2013.  The Shovel Ready round would seek applications for approximately 1,000 dwellings to be substantially completed by June 2014.

Ministers noted the Australian Government would open a general Round 5 for dwellings to be delivered in 2015-16. This round would open on 7 May and close on 6 August 2013. Ministers also agreed to identify the number of incentives that would be supported in each of their jurisdictions. State and Territory Ministers welcomed this commitment and agreed to work with the Commonwealth on a fifth round of the scheme.

National Regulatory System for Community Housing

Ministers were pleased to announce that the National Regulatory System for Community Housing will start for participating jurisdictions on 1 July 2013 through a phased implementation. This will include six months of testing and evaluation of the registration processes and procedures to operate the system (Phase 1), and registration under the National Law to occur over an 18 month transition period from 1 January 2014 (Phase 2).

Ministers also endorsed for public release the National Regulatory System for Community Housing Charter which sets out the vision, objectives, regulatory principles, regulatory philosophy and practice as well as the features of the National Regulatory System. The Charter is one of a suite of documents designed to support implementation of and transition to the new system.

National regulation is an important reform for the social housing system as it will provide a consistent regulatory environment to support the growth and development of the community housing sector. It will reduce the regulatory burden for providers working across jurisdictions and provide a level playing field for providers seeking to enter new jurisdictions. This national approach will facilitate further investment in this sector to increase the supply of affordable homes. 

 Ministers endorsed for public release the National Industry Development Framework for Community Housing, a key reform direction under the National Affordable Housing Agreement. The Framework outlines the skills and settings required to position the community housing sector to play an expanded role in the future of social housing. 

 Housing Payment Deduction Scheme

Ministers confirmed their in-principle commitment to pursuing the Housing Payment Deduction Scheme which assists in the prevention of evictions and possible homelessness of public housing tenants due to unpaid rent. It will also improve efficiency by reducing the cost of managing arrears for public housing authorities.

Indigenous Home Ownership

Ministers discussed access to home ownership for Indigenous households, including challenges faced by Indigenous households as well as current government assistance.  Ministers agreed to work together to improve Indigenous home ownership outcomes in both established housing markets and on Indigenous land in order to progress policy outcomes under the National Affordable Housing Agreement. 

Other

Ministers noted the report on the gaps in the existing evidence base in the social and affordable housing system  and asked Housing officials to undertake further work around the scope and form of a credible independent review for their consideration out of session.

 Discussions on the significant progress of the twenty-five major housing and homelessness reform tasks under the National Affordable Housing Agreement resumed and the achievements, nationally and by individual jurisdictions, were noted.  

 Ministers will meet again mid-year.                    

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